Please note: In smaller council areas (e.g. Shetland Islands), there are
large fluctuations in the data. This is because small changes have a
much larger effect in small populations than in large ones (e.g. Glasgow
City).
Population Estimates
Source
data
Last updated: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
Mid-2024 Population Estimates by Council Area in Scotland
On 30 June 2024, the population of Scottish Borders was 116,980. This is
an increase of 0.1% from 116,880 in 2023. Over the same period, the
population of Scotland increased by 0.7%.
Scottish Borders had the 17th highest population in 2024, out of all 32
council areas in Scotland. Between 2023 and 2024, 5 councils saw a
population decrease and 26 councils saw a population increase. There was
1 council that remained the same.
Between 2001 and 2024, the population of Scottish Borders has increased
by 9.4%. This is the 14th highest percentage change out of the 32
council areas in Scotland. Over the same period, Scotland’s population
rose by 9.5%.
In 2024, there were more females (51.5%) than males (48.5%) living in
Scottish Borders. There were also more females (51.4%) than males
(48.6%) living in Scotland overall.
In terms of overall size, the 45 to 64 age group was the largest in
2024, with a population of 34,082. In contrast, the 16 to 24 age group
was the smallest, with a population of 9,856. In 2024, more females than
males lived in Scottish Borders in 4 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2024, the 25 to 44 age group saw the largest percentage
decrease (-20.2%). The 75 and over age group saw the largest percentage
increase (+63.0%).
Migration
Source
data
Last updated: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
Mid-2024 Migration by Council Area in Scotland
In the period 2023-24, the level of in-migration in Scottish Borders was
3,870, a 7.2% decrease from 4,170 in the period 2022-23. The level of
out-migration in Scottish Borders was 3,170, which is a 6.8% decrease
from 3,400 in 2022-23.
In 2023-24, Scottish Borders had the 22nd highest level of net migration
out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 710 people.
This is a decrease of 60 from 770 people in 2022-23.
Net migration is the difference between in-migration (those coming into
an area) and out-migration (those leaving an area). Positive net
migration means in-migration is higher than out-migration. Negative net
migration means out-migration is higher than in-migration.
In Scottish Borders, the net migration rate decreased from 6.6 people
per 1,000 population in 2022-23 to 6.1 in 2023-24. In comparison, the
rate in Scotland overall decreased from 14.2 to 10.2 people per 1,000
population.
In 2023-24, Scottish Borders was the council area with the 24th highest
net migration rate, out of all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between
2022-23 and 2023-24, 27 councils saw a decrease in net migration rates
per 1,000 population and 5 councils saw an increase.
In the period 2023-24, net migration in Scottish Borders was higher for
females (396) than for males (310). The age group with the highest level
of total net migration was 30 to 34 (129). In contrast, the age group
with the lowest level of net migration was 15 to 19 (-66).
Population Projections
Source
data
Last updated: October 2025
Likely next update: Winter 2026/27
2022-based Population Projections by Council Area in Scotland
Between 2022 and 2032, the population of Scottish Borders is projected
to increase from 116,820 to 118,723. This is an increase of 1.6%, which
compares to a projected increase of 4.4% for Scotland as a whole.
Scottish Borders is projected to have the 18th highest population out of
the 32 council areas in Scotland in 2032. Between 2022 and 2032, 9
councils are projected to see a population decrease and 23 councils are
projected to see a population increase.
Scottish Borders is projected to have the 16th highest percentage change
in population size out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
Over the next 10 years, the population of Scottish Borders is projected
to decrease by 5.9% due to natural change (more deaths than births).
Total net migration (net migration within Scotland, from overseas and
from the rest of the UK) is projected to result in a population increase
of 7.6% over the same period.
The average age of the population of Scottish Borders is projected to
increase as the baby boomer generation ages and more people are expected
to live longer.
Between 2022 and 2032, the 0 to 15 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-14.4%) and the 75 and over age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+29.9%). In terms of
size, however, 45 to 64 is projected to remain the largest age group.
Births
Source
data
Last updated: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
2024 Births by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, there were 835 births in Scottish Borders. This is an increase
of 1.2% from 825 births in 2023. Of these 835 births, 402 (48.1%) were
female and 433 (51.9%) were male.
In Scottish Borders, the standardised birth rate increased from 9.5 per
1,000 population in 2023 to 9.7 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall in 2023 was 8.3 and remained the same in 2024.
In 2024, Scottish Borders was the council area with the 5th highest
standardised birth rate. Between 2023 and 2024, 17 councils saw a
decrease in standardised birth rate and 13 councils saw an increase.
There were 2 councils that saw no change.
In 2024, the most common age group of mothers in Scottish Borders was 30
to 34 (295 births), the same as in 2004. The least common age group of
mothers in Scottish Borders was 0 to 19 (21 births), which is a change
from the 40 and over age group in 2004.
Between 2004 and 2024, each age group decreased in size. The 0 to 19 age
group has seen the largest percentage decrease in births (-63.8%).
The total fertility rate in Scottish Borders increased from 1.47 in 2023
to 1.5 in 2024. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, Scottish
Borders had the 4th highest rate in 2024 and this is higher than the
rate of 1.25 for Scotland as a whole.
Marriages and Civil Partnerships
Source
data
Last updated: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
2024 Marriages by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, 663 marriages were registered in Scottish Borders. This is a
8.9% decrease from 728 in 2023. In comparison, the number of marriages
registered in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Scottish Borders had the 12th highest number of marriage registrations
in 2024, out of the 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2023 and 2024,
14 councils saw a decrease in marriage registrations and 18 councils saw
an increase.
2024 Civil Partnerships by Council Area in Scotland
In Scotland overall, there were 796 civil partnerships in 2024, which is
an increase of 10.7% from 2023.
Since June 2021 mixed-sex couples have been able to form a civil
partnership. In 2024, 15 civil partnerships were registered in Scottish
Borders, of which 15 were mixed-sex and 0 were same-sex.
Scottish Borders had the joint 15th highest number of civil partnership
registrations in 2024, out of the 32 council areas in Scotland. Between
2023 and 2024, 9 councils saw a decrease in civil partnership
registrations and 20 councils saw an increase. There were 3 councils
that saw no change.
Deaths
Source
data
Last updated: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
2024 Deaths by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, there were 1,468 deaths in Scottish Borders. This is a 2.4%
decrease from 1,504 deaths in 2023. Of these 1,468 deaths, 723 (49.3%)
were female and 745 (50.7%) were male.
In Scottish Borders, the standardised death rate decreased from 9.9 per
1,000 population in 2023 to 9.5 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall decreased from 11.5 to 11.2.
In 2024, Scottish Borders was the council area with the 27th highest
standardised death rate. Between 2023 and 2024, 23 councils saw a
decrease in standardised death rate and 6 councils saw an increase.
There were 3 councils that saw no change.
Between 2004 and 2024, both female and male deaths registered in
Scottish Borders have increased in number. In 2024, a lower number of
female (723) than male (745) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2004, the number of female deaths registered in
Scottish Borders in 2024 was 0.8% higher and the number of male deaths
was 27.6% higher. At Scotland level, the number of female deaths
registered in 2024 was 5.5% higher and the number of male deaths was
16.7% higher.
In 2024, the 90 and over age group saw the highest number of total
deaths (300) and the 0, 1 to 4, 5 to 9 age groups saw the fewest (0).
For females, the most common age group was 90 and over (193) and for
males, the most common age group was 85 to 89 (142).
The following leading cause of death analysis is based on
a
list of causes developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
There are around 60 categories in total and cancers are grouped
separately according to the type of cancer, for example, lung, breast
and prostate cancer are all counted as separate causes. If all cancers
were grouped together, cancer would be the leading cause of death.
In Scottish Borders, the leading cause of death for males in 2024 was
Ischaemic heart diseases (13.0% of all male deaths), followed by
Cerebrovascular disease (6.7%). In Scotland overall, the leading cause
of death for males was also Ischaemic heart diseases (13.7%), followed
by Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (7.5%).
In Scottish Borders, the leading cause of death for females in 2024 was
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (11.8% of all female deaths), followed
by Ischaemic heart diseases (8.4%). In Scotland overall, the leading
cause of death for females was also Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
(13.7%), followed by Ischaemic heart diseases (8.5%).
Life Expectancy
Source
data
Last updated: October 2024
Likely next update: December 2025
Life Expectancy in 2021-23 by Council Area in Scotland
In Scottish Borders, life expectancy at birth was higher for females
(82.6 years) than for males (78.7 years) in 2021-23. Male life
expectancy at birth has increased more rapidly than female life
expectancy at birth between 2001-03 and 2021-23.
In Scottish Borders, life expectancy at birth is higher than at Scotland
level for both females and males.
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, female life expectancy at
birth in Scottish Borders has risen by 3.5%. This is the 6th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
higher than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+2.4%).
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, male life expectancy at
birth in Scottish Borders has risen by 4.4%. This is the 11th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
lower than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+4.5%).
In Scottish Borders, life expectancy at age 65-69 was higher for females
(20.9 years) than for males (19.0 years) in 2021-23. Male life
expectancy at age 65-69 has increased more rapidly than female life
expectancy at age 65-69 between 2001-03 and 2021-23.
In Scottish Borders, life expectancy at age 65-69 is higher than at
Scotland level for both females and males.
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, female life expectancy at
age 65-69 in Scottish Borders has risen by 12.7%. This is the 4th
highest percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and
this is higher than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+8.8%).
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, male life expectancy at age
65-69 in Scottish Borders has risen by 18.2%. This is the 5th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
higher than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+16.5%).
Household Estimates
Source
data
Last updated: June 2025
Likely next update: June 2026
Mid-2024 Household Estimates by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, the number of households in Scottish Borders was 56,085. This
is a 0.5% increase from 55,826 households in 2023. In comparison, the
number of households in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Scottish Borders had the 17th highest number of households in 2024, out
of all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2023 and 2024, all councils
saw an increase in the number of households.
In comparison to 2001, the number of households in Scottish Borders has
increased by 18.2%. This is the 12th highest percentage change out of
the 32 council areas in Scotland and a more rapid change than at
Scotland level (+16.3%).
Household Projections
Source
data
Last updated: September 2020
Likely next update: December 2025
2018-based Household Projections by Council Area in Scotland
Between 2018 and 2028, the number of households in Scottish Borders is
projected to increase from 54,413 to 56,443. This is a 3.7% increase,
which compares to a projected increase of 4.9% for Scotland as a whole.
Scottish Borders is projected to have the 16th highest number of
households in 2028, out of all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between
2018 and 2028, 8 councils are projected to see a decrease in the number
of households and 24 councils are projected to see an increase.
Scottish Borders is projected to have the 18th highest percentage change
in household numbers out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
In 2028, the household type “One adult” is projected to remain the most
common (37.3%) and the household type “One adult, one or more children”
is projected to remain the least common (4.7%) in Scottish Borders.
Between 2018 and 2028, the household type “Three or more adults” is
projected to see the largest percentage decrease (-7.4%) and the
household type “One adult” is projected to see the largest percentage
increase (+7.3%).
Between 2018 and 2028, the 50 to 54 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-29.3%) and the 80 to 84 age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+43.5%). In terms of
size, however, 60 to 64 is projected to become the largest age group of
a Household Reference Person (HRP), compared to 50 to 54 in 2018.
Dwellings
Source
data
Last updated: June 2025
Likely next update: June 2026
2024 Dwellings by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, the number of dwellings in Scottish Borders was 60,064. This is
a 0.2% increase from 59,974 in 2023. In comparison, the number of
dwellings in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Scottish Borders had the 16th highest number of dwellings in 2024, out
of all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2023 and 2024, all councils
saw an increase in the number of dwellings.
Compared with 2001, the number of dwellings in Scottish Borders has
increased by 17.1%. This is the 17th highest percentage change out of
the 32 council areas in Scotland and a less rapid change than for
Scotland as a whole (+18.1%).
In Scottish Borders, Council Tax band A was most common (27.5%) in 2024,
followed by Council Tax band B (21.2%). Contrastingly, Council Tax band
H was the least common (0.8%). In Scotland overall, Council Tax band B
was the most common, followed by A. Council Tax band H was the least
common in Scotland.
